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Grand villa roof thickness

Can anyone tell me the thickness of the wood on the roof of my grand villa? And does that wood go over the aluminum studs that are up there or are the aluminum studs flush with the wood on either side of them? I'm just trying to figure out what I have to work with for mounting my solar panels.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Grand villa roof thickness

Reply #1 –
When I hacked into my roof to fix a large crack the plywood was the same thickness as the interior wall, quarter of an inch.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Grand villa roof thickness

Reply #2 –
3/16 luan with the aluminum square tube sandwiched between.  I can see the framing from my porch with the morning dew. Elliot I sent you a picture in messenger.
1992 Foretravel 36' Grand Villa ORED - VC22RD Chassis - 8.3 Cummins

Re: Grand villa roof thickness

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Elliott –
Can anyone tell me the thickness of the wood on the roof of my grand villa? And does that wood go over the aluminum studs that are up there or are the aluminum studs flush with the wood on either side of them? I'm just trying to figure out what I have to work with for mounting my solar panels.
I wrote about my experience with some picture on Foreforum.com Elliott.

I measured 3/16" thick over all but I used 1/4" plywood made with waterproof glue and three layers of fiberglass cloth and resin on the outside: Thompson's Deck finish on the inside.  The inside was glued to the aluminum framework and if you're hoping for 16" on center -- keep hoping.  You'll need to map out the framework with an electronic stud finder but it is 1" square thinwall aluminum that takes well to sheet metal screws.  I used countersunk flat head screws with gelcoat over the screw heads.  "IF" that pops I'll go back with square fiberglass and resin patches ala fabric aircraft technique without the dope.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Grand villa roof thickness

Reply #4 –
You should be able to remove the trim piece on the shower skylight or the kitchen ceiling fan and see exactly the cross-section of your roof.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho
 

Re: Grand villa roof thickness

Reply #5 –
I tapped on the roof with a hammer to find the roof studs and drilled PK self tapping screws into that and used 5200 glue to hold them down,
I used a stainless steel frame and bolted the panels to the frame,
You have to have clearance under the panels for air circulation,
I also bought new panels that are 350 Watts per panel,
Panels are very cheap in Oz,  $140-00 each with free delivery,
Cheers, Brian,
1989 Foretravel Grand Villa, 36 foot ORED, 300 HP Catapillar and Four Speed Allison Auto,
Right Hand drive, two Mid doors, Makes a good flow thru ventilation in hot weather,
Located in Melbourne, Australia,  The Land Down Under,
Honda Blackbird, 1100XX.    2002 Gemini 105 MC Catamaran,